To Kill a Mockingbird Group

Question:

essence88
essence88
Student
High School - 11th Grade

Why is the title "To Kill a Mockingbird" full of significance and who is the mocking bird?

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Posted by essence88 on Monday April 21, 2008 at 7:11 PM and tagged with mockingbird, representation, symbols, to kill a mockingbird.

Answers:


  1. coolgirl Student
    High School - 11th Grade

    i think there are two people in the novel who are called the mockingbirds and it's Boo Radley and Tom Robinson. 

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    Posted by coolgirl on Monday April 21, 2008 at 8:28 PM

  2. withnail
    withnail

    eNotes Editor

    Atticus tells Jem and Scout that it is wrong to kill a mockingbird; Miss Maudie explains later that this is because mockingbirds are songbirds which do nothing but give pleasure to people. The mockingbird's death is thus symbolic of any loss of innocence. The symbolism of the mockingbird can be applied to many people in the novel. Jem and Scout are both mockingbirds because the innocence of their lives is shattered; Boo Radley's cruel parents robbed him of his innocence; Tom Robinson died despite his innocence. To kill a mockingbird is thus to rob a person of their innocence, and that is a major theme in the novel, especially where Jem is concerned.

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    Posted by withnail on Tuesday April 22, 2008 at 7:47 AM


  3. psychohellkat Student
    High School - 10th Grade

    Many characters within the book are 'Mockingbirds' (Although the main one is Tom Robinson). The mockingbird was supposed to represent inosence and the title also refers to Atticus' quote ".....remember it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

    If you reword the quote

    ".....remember it's a sin to kill an inocent man"

    Mockingbird = Tom Robinson = Inocent man

    The entire quote gives away the story plot if looked at carefully. 

    "Shoot all the blue jays you want, if you can hit 'em, but remember, it's a sin to kill a mockingbird."

    The bluejay represents the bad people (eg. Bob Ewell) and how he didn't get caught for the crime he obviously commited.

    The entire quote reworded:

    "Arrest all the bad people you want, if you can CATCH them, but remember, it's a sin to kill and inocent man."

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    Posted by psychohellkat on Saturday June 21, 2008 at 12:49 AM

  4. emily94
    emily94 Student
    High School - 9th Grade

    the mockingbird represents Tom Robinson.  he is proven innocent and yet is found guilty.  This ties in to how Atticus mentions the fact that "it is a sin to kill a mckingbird," becuase they are harmless, respectable creatures who do nothing but provide beautiful music for the people.  It is ironic though, that Tom should be senteced when he is just as guiltless/harmless as a mockingbird.  The people agree that it is a sin to kill a mockingbird, but dont think twice about killing a human being.

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    Posted by emily94 on Friday August 22, 2008 at 8:43 AM

  5. esha25
    esha25 Student
    College - Freshman

    The title is full of significant as in the book, mockingbirds like Tom Robinson is being 'killed'

    There is a lot of mockingbirds: 

    Tom Robinson

    Arthur Boo  Radley

    And even Atticus in some way!!! 

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    Posted by esha25 on Tuesday September 2, 2008 at 6:17 AM